Assam govt, AGP criticise Centre

Assam government joined opposition Asom Gana Parishad today in criticising the Centre for giving lesser grants to the state in the 14th Finance Commission recommendation that is likely to affect its economic growth.
"We will oppose the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, which has given very little grant to a state with special needs like Assam," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said during a discussion in the Assembly here.
He said this will hamper the economic growth of the state and discriminate it with other revenue surplus states.
"It proves that the Narendra Modi government does not love Assam and all his words are only lip sympathy. You have to show it by action, not by words.

"I appeal to the House, including the BJP members to unanimously oppose the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission," Gogoi said.
He also criticised the Centre for shifting to a market economy from plan economy by setting up the NITI Ayog.

"If you go for market economy, what will happen to poor states like Assam? Who will spend for sectors like agriculture and welfare of poor? Even in the Preamble of the Constitution, it is mentioned that India is a socialist country. We cannot retreat from that," the chief minister said.
"There are many problems like erosion, flood, absence of industry. If you go to a competitive market economy, Assam will move backward," he added.

According to recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, Assam will be given a total grants-in-aid for revenue deficit in 2015-20 of Rs 3,379 crore.
The highest grants-in-aid has been recommended to Jammu & Kashmir at Rs 59,666 crore, followed by Rs 40,625 crore for Himachal Pradesh.
Even in north eastern states for Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, the grants-in-aid for revenue deficit for five years are higher than that of Assam at Rs 10,227 crore, Rs 12,183 crore, Rs 18,475 crore and Rs 5,103 crore respectively.
Only Meghalaya has been recommended lesser grants-in-aid for revenue deficit than Assam at Rs 1,770 crore.